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Beginning Backpacking - Hiking


Course Description

Instruction and practice of skills and strategy in backpacking and hiking and acquisition of fitness knowledge.


Athena Title

Beginning Backpacking Hiking


Semester Course Offered

Offered fall and spring


Grading System

S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory)


Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate a basic knowledge of backpacking and hiking skills and practices.
  • Students will gain an appreciation for backpacking and hiking as a way to exercise and improve overall health in life.
  • Students will understand the importance of physical activity as it relates to a healthy lifestyle.
  • Students will be able to demonstrate their basic knowledge of health-related fitness topics, such as benefits of physical activity and exercise, FITT principle, goal-setting, mental health and exercise, and nutrition.

Topical Outline

  • Equipment, clothing and safety considerations
  • Campsite selection
  • Expedition behavior
  • Nutrition and Leave no trace
  • Health and fitness-related topics: Benefits of physical activity and exercise
  • Health and fitness-related topics: Healthy lifestyle
  • Health and fitness-related topics: Goal Setting (SMART Approach)
  • Health and fitness-related topics: Nutrition
  • Health and fitness-related topics: Mental health and wellness
  • Health and fitness-related topics: Dimensions of wellness

Syllabus